Tag: 2017 recruiting

Visitors: March 27-29, 2015

Paramus (NJ) Catholic defensive tackle Rashan Gary

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TRANSFER
Blake O’Neill – P – Weber State: Quarterback Jake Rudock from Iowa visited last weekend, and now it’s O’Neill’s turn. O’Neill is a graduate transfer prospect who’s a 6’2″, 215 lb. punter. He averaged 44.1 yards/attempt last season and does not allow many returns. Sam Webb pronounced a “gut feeling” that O’Neill would end up at Michigan, so this visit may be just a formality.

2016
Cary Angeline – TE – Exton (PA) Downington East: Angeline is a 6’7″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 tight end, and #213 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 67 catches for 1,051 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Korey Banks – CB – Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek: Banks is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas State, Colorado State, and Miami-OH, among others. He’s an unranked prospect at this point. He claims a 4.26 forty, and while that is almost surely a fib, he does have good speed.

Devin Bush, Jr. – LB – Hollywood (FL) Flanagan: Bush is a 6’0″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 inside linebacker, and #249 overall. Bush is a Florida State legacy whose dad played safety for the Seminoles and is now Flanagan’s head coach.

Hit the jump for several more 2016 prospects, as well as some 2017 and 2018 kids.


Donnie Corley – WR – Detroit (MI) King: Corley is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #20 wide receiver, and #110 overall. Corley has visited Michigan several times and has grown more interested in the Wolverines now that Jim Harbaugh is the coach.

Matt Falcon – RB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Falcon is a 6’1″, 215 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 running back, and #234 overall. He has visited Michigan several times, but Tennessee is also very high on his list.

Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6’2″, 194 lb. prospect who committed to Louisville last October; he has since picked up an offer from Michigan, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #57 wide receiver, and #344 overall. Fitzpatrick has been a frequent visitor to Ann Arbor and is seen as a player who very well might flip to the Wolverines at some point, even though high school teammate David Reese (also a Louisville commit) is not being heavily recruited by Michigan.

Rashan Gary – DT – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Gary is a 6’4″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 defensive tackle, and #1 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 55 tackles and 14 sacks. His former high school head coach is Chris Partridge, who is now employed by Michigan as a recruiting coordinator. He will also be visiting Ohio State on his swing through the midwest.

Joshua Hammond – WR – Hallandale (FL) Hallandale: Hammond is a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #59 wide receiver, and #347 overall. As a junior in 2014, he caught 25 passes for 413 yards and 6 touchdowns. He will also be visiting Notre Dame on his swing through the midwest.

Brad Hawkins – WR – Camden (MI) Camden: Hawkins is a 6’2″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Pitt, Rutgers, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #33 wide receiver, and #161 overall. Currently he appears to be favoring the Gamecocks, but he does not look to be in a hurry to make a decision, so Michigan still has a chance to work their way to the top.

Daelin Hayes – LB – Ann Arbor (MI) Skyline: Hayes is a 6’4″, 250 lb. prospect who committed to USC last summer; he also has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, and numerous others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 outside linebacker, and #82 overall. Hayes will be in town for a Tom Lemming photo shoot and despite living in Ann Arbor now, he is not expected to strongly consider Michigan.

Ron Johnson, Jr. – DE – Camden (NJ) Camden: Johnson is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #17 weakside end, and #270 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 84 tackles and 10 sacks. Johnson is a teammate of Hawkins. He appears to have a strong motor and some good football intuition, along with some pretty good athleticism.

Michael Jordan – OT – Plymouth (MI) Plymouth: Jordan is a 6’6″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #18 offensive tackle, and #181 overall. He has visited Michigan numerous times and the Wolverines are thought to be his leader.

Khalid Kareem – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison: Kareem is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #14 strongside end, and #225 overall. He was briefly committed to Michigan State in January 2015. As a junior in 2014, he made 85 tackles and 18 sacks.


Josh King – DE – Hinsdale (IL) South: King is a 6’6″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 strongside end, and #51 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 70 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. Michigan is believed to be one of King’s top three destinations.

Cedrick Lattimore – DE – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Lattimore is a 6’5″, 241 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa and a handful of MAC schools. He’s currently an unranked prospect.

Ostell Martin – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Martin is a 6’5″, 330 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. With his size some offers should come eventually, but he is somewhat stiff and could afford to work his body into better shape.

Ahmir Mitchell – WR – Egg Harbor City (NJ) Timber Creek: Mitchell is a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 athlete, and #88 overall. Mitchell, who was being recruited as a safety by Michigan’s previous staff, is now being looked at as a receiver. He recently placed Michigan in his top six schools. Despite attending a different school, he will be headed to Ann Arbor with Hawkins and Johnson, all of whom have rescheduled this visit from last weekend’s canceled itinerary.

Michael Onwenu – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Onwenu is a 6’2″, 310 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 offensive guard, and #211 overall. Onwenu doubles as a defensive tackle and is being recruited by some teams on that side of the ball, but Michigan wants him as an interior offensive lineman.


Andrew Pryts – S – Hermitage (PA) Hickory: Pryts is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #48 safety, and #701 overall. Pryts is a physical, hard-hitting safety who is thought to be a heavy Penn State lean.

David Reese – LB – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese is a 6’1″, 235 lb. prospect who committed to Louisville earlier this month; he also has offers from Indiana, Pitt, and several MAC schools. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #23 inside linebacker, and #686 overall. Reese is a teammate of wide receiver Desmond Fitzpatrick, who is also committed to Louisville . . . for now.

Demetric Vance – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Vance is a 6’1″, 193 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 safety, and #406 overall.

Devin Waldon – LB – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Waldon is a 6’0″, 229 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

2017
David Adams – LB – Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic: Adams is a 6’1″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, and others. He is currently unranked.

Corey Bolds – DE – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Bolds is a 6’3″, 268 lb. prospect with an offer from Rutgers (EDIT: he was offered by Michigan this weekend). He is the teammate of Rashan Gary (see above).

Rodney Hall – QB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hall is a 6’3″, 204 lb. left quarterback with no offers at this time. Wearing his #7 and throwing from the left side, he looks a little like Michael Vick, although not the same level of athlete.

Jaylen Kelly-Powell – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Kelly-Powell is a 6’0″, 183 lb. prospect who has picked up recent offers from Miami-OH and Northwestern. He’s a currently unranked. He claims a 4.49 forty.

Donovan Parker – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Parker is a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Peoples-Jones is a 6’2″, 183 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 wide receiver, and #12 overall. He claims a 4.43 forty. His father is former Michigan player Shonte Peoples.

Isaiah Pryor – S – Lawrenceville (GA) Archer: Pryor is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 safety, and #70 overall. Pryor is a teammate of 2016 offensive tackle offeree E.J. Price, who named Michigan his leader recently.

Willie Reid – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Reid is a 6’1″, 177 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Jamyest Williams – CB – Lawrenceville (GA) Archer: Williams is a 5’9″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and Michigan, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #9 athlete, and #84 overall. Another teammate of Price’s, Williams was offered by Michigan’s previous staff and that offer was reaffirmed by Harbaugh and Co. He recently ran a 4.52 laser-timed forty and claims a 41″ vertical. As a sophomore in 2014, he carried the ball 85 times for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns; he also caught 35 passes for 452 yards and 5 touchdowns; and on defense he made 60 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 25 pass breakups.

2018

Emil Ekiyor – OG – Indianapolis (IN) Cathedral: Ekiyor is a 6’3″, 280 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He is the son of Emil Ekiyor, a Nigerian immigrant who played at Central Florida before playing six years in the NFL. The younger Ekiyor will be on campus Thursday, March 26.

Kalon Gervin – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Gervin is a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Recruiting Update: March 16, 2015

Long Beach (CA) Poly wide receiver Jack Jones

(NOT QUITE) ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Concord (CA) De La Salle safety Je’Vari Anderson has been rumored to be working toward attending Michigan. Anderson is a 6’1″, 200 lb. prospect who reported offers from Cal, Oregon State, and Utah. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #63 safety, and #902 overall. Anderson has reportedly been held back by the lack of an SAT score (or at least a qualifying SAT score) and needs that to qualify. However, the deadline for signing a National Letter of Intent – which he did not do in early February like most football prospects – is rapidly approaching on April 1, 2015. From my understanding, he can still qualify and join a football program in the fall even if he doesn’t sign by that date, but he will not be able to participate in football practices or receive a scholarship until the first day of classes. Whereas most freshmen arrive in June, start classwork over the summer, and start practicing in early August, he would virtually be forced into redshirting because he could not practice until the first day of the fall semester, which is September 8th. By that time Michigan will have played the game against Utah. Anyway, Anderson is a pretty impressive athlete who has some skills as both a running back, safety, and special teams player. If Michigan is indeed trying to get him to join the program, I think they will be getting a potential starter, not just a late wish-and-prayer gamble, although the academic side could be a concern in the long run. Additionally, Anderson is a teammate of a couple 2016 Michigan offerees in center Boss Tagaloa and tight end Devin Asiasi. If Anderson ends up wearing a winged helmet, that could help with those two players, whom Michigan is pursuing hard.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Washington (DC) St. John’s tight end Devante Brooks was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect who committed to Tennessee in January; he also has offers from Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, and West Virginia, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 tight end, and #225 overall. Brooks is pretty solid to the Volunteers but may consider taking some visits.

Houston (TX) Westside defensive tackle Jordan Elliott was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 305 lb. prospect who committed to Baylor in January and holds offers from Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma, and Texas, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 defensive tackle, and #137 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 78 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He’s impressively light on his feet and quick enough to play some defensive end for his high school team. Elliott is very talented and not the type of player one would traditionally associate with Baylor, but this is more proof that the Golden Bears are moving up in the world.

Elberton (GA) Elbert cornerback Mecole Hardman was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 cornerback, and #101 overall. Hardman plays quarterback for his high school team and some colleges want him to be a receiver, but Michigan is looking at him as a corner. He is very likely to stay in SEC country and has Georgia and Tennessee as his top two schools, so getting him up north will be very difficult.

Long Beach (CA) Poly wide receiver Jack Jones was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 athlete, and #77 overall. Jones could play receiver or corner in college, and with a highlight video titled “The Greatest,” anything’s possible, right? On the same day Michigan offered, he put out a top three that included the three aforementioned schools, so Michigan is playing from behind right now. He attends the alma mater of former Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren.

Hit the jump for another 2016 offer, some 2017 prospects, a guy who committed elsewhere, and some random bits.

Powder Springs (GA) McEachern tight end Christian Roberson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Michigan State, and Missouri, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #18 tight end, and #496 overall. He’s a long, lean player who shows some nice hands and an ability to go up and get the ball. Roberson said he is not very familiar with Michigan, and a decently talented player from down there is probably going to wait and see whether more southern powers come calling. McEachern produces a lot of talented players, including offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (USC) in the 2015 class.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
La Vergne (TN) LaVergne linebacker Maleik Gray was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida State, LSU, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #1 athlete, and #26 overall. Gray plays running back for his high school team, and while he has lots of good traits as a runner, he looks more like an outside linebacker at the next level.

West Union (IA) North Fayette defensive tackle Juan Harris was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 356 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. He committed to Iowa on December 1, 2014, but the day after the Michigan offer came in, he decommitted from the Hawkeyes. There was another re-commitment and de-commitment in January, so clearly Harris is struggling with the decision process, even though National Signing Day is almost two years away for him. Harris visited Ann Arbor this past weekend. He is a wide-bodied nose tackle type who obviously needs to shed some weight.

Los Angeles (CA) Hawkins running back Greg Johnson was offered by Michigan. Johnson is a 5’10”, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Cal, Utah, and Washington, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 athlete, and #16 overall. Johnson could play a number of positions in college – running back, corner, safety – but he looks pretty darn good running the ball. However, I will say that his highlights should be taken with a huge grain of salt, because he is playing against kids who look like they have no clue how to play the game of football. That may partly explain why he ran for 2,371 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014.

Los Angeles (CA) Hawkins wide receiver Joseph Lewis, a teammate of Johnson’s, was also offered by the Wolverines. He’s a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Notre Dame, UCLA, USC, Utah, and Washington, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #6 wide receiver, and #46 overall. Unfortunately, whoever put together the Hudl pages for both Johnson and Lewis spells their year in school as “sopohmore.” Anyway, Lewis is another good physical specimen who shows some nice speed and has good size.

Arvada (CO) Pomona offensive tackle Jake Moretti was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 265 lb. prospect with offers from Colorado, Colorado State, and Miami. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #9 offensive tackle, and #83 overall. Moretti is a nice looking prospect who has some athleticism but really needs to work on technique, as well as getting stronger. Michigan has recruited the area back in 2013 with 6’10” offensive tackle Dan Skipper (Arkansas) and 2012 offensive tackle Paul Thurston (Nebraska), although neither went to Pomona.

Madison (GA) Morgan County defensive tackle M.J. Webb was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 260 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 strongside end, and #39 overall. Webb plays a little too high and soft for my liking, but he does have a good idea of how to use his hands and he moves pretty well for a big guy. Despite playing defensive end in high school, I think he’s very likely to move inside at the next level, if not within the next year or two for his high school team.

Bellaire (TX) Episcopal defensive tackle Marvin Wilson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 300 lb. prospect with offers from Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #1 defensive tackle, and #13 overall. As a sophomore in 2014, he made 67 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks. Wilson is a massive force in the middle of the defensive line and probably projects as a nose tackle for the next level. He has some decent quickness for the position, though, and can be more than a space eater.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Memphis (TN) Harding offensive tackle Will Lawrence was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 260 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee, Texas, and USC, among others. One reason he has all those big-time offers is his feet, which are quick and never stop moving. Some outlets are saying that this is Michigan’s first offer in the 2018 class, although Maryland defensive tackle Taron Vincent (the son of Troy Vincent) reported an offer from the previous staff.

OFF THE BOARD
Thousand Oaks (CA) Westlake wide receiver Theo Howard committed to Oregon. Howard may be a sign that Jim Harbaugh’s California connection may not be as productive as we had hoped at one point. Along with quarterback K.J. Costello, wide receiver Dylan Crawford, and cornerback David Long, Jr., Howard was in a group of players interested in at least visiting Michigan and potentially playing together at the next level. A package deal like that would almost certainly not come together, but it might hint that those other pieces will not come to Michigan, either. Costello is close to deciding (likely between Stanford and USC) and Crawford is his teammate. Meanwhile, Michigan is making Long a priority at cornerback, so his case may be the most promising.

Monroe (LA) Wossman safety Cameron Lewis committed to LSU. This was essentially a foregone conclusion, even though TCU was reportedly in the mix.

O’Fallon (IL) O’Fallon running back Kentrail Moran committed to Illinois. Moran had Michigan as his top school for a long time after being offered by Brady Hoke’s staff. At one point he even said he would “probably commit soon” and he was excited about the Jim Harbaugh hire. Unfortunately for Moran, he was told by the new staff that he would have to re-earn his offer from them, something that has not happened until this point. Around the time the news came that he would need to re-earn his offer, I was working up a scouting report on him. Even before he was offered, I actually hoped that Michigan would not offer him because he seemed likely to commit and I was not particularly fond of his abilities. Now hopefully Michigan can reel in a back with some more upside.

MISCELLANEOUS
Check out the visitor list from this past weekend (LINK).

Over in Recruiting Season, I added/updated profiles for:

• Birmingham Groves RB Cedric Boswell
• Muskegon Mona Shores WR Hunter Broersma, who committed to Western Michigan
• Saline QB Joshua Jackson
• Detroit King DE Leon Page
• Farmington LB David Reese, who committed to Louisville

Recruiting Update: March 2, 2015

Edwardsville (IL) Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa (image via 247Sports.com)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Livonia (LA) Livonia defensive end Willie Baker was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #33 weakside end, and #523 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 112 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. I do not see Baker as a weakside end at all, and in fact, he looks like a 3-4 defensive end, a strongside end, or even a defensive tackle after he adds weight. He is somewhat stiff and does not use his hands well, but he is very physical and likes to hit.

Kentwood (LA) Kentwood cornerback Shyheim Carter, an Alabama commit, was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 185 lb. prospect who also holds offers from Clemson, Georgia, LSU, and Mississippi State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #3 cornerback, and #33 overall. He claims a 4.38 forty. Chances are slim that Michigan will be able to flip Carter out of the deep south, so this is more likely a case of the coaches trying to build relationships in the area.

Elk Grove (CA) Franklin cornerback Lamar Jackson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Boise State, Colorado, and UCLA. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #32 cornerback, and #328 overall. He claims a 4.46 forty. Jackson is a jack-of-all-trades type of player for his high school, where he also plays some quarterback. At his size he is probably most likely to play safety, wide receiver, or maybe even linebacker eventually.

Charlotte (NC) Victory Christian tight end Thaddeus Moss was offered by Michigan. Moss is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Boston College, Duke, Marshall, and Wake Forest, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #24 tight end, and #686 overall. He is also the son of former all-world wide receiver Randy Moss, who grew up in West Virginia, attended Marshall, and went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, among other teams. The younger Moss is not the physical freak that his dad was, but he seems to have a high football IQ and makes some excellent plays in his own right. Thaddeus is a bit of a lumbering tight end, but he knows how to release from the line and can make some acrobatic catches. He also flashes some talent as a defensive end, where he makes some nice hustle plays, picks off a couple passes, etc. I don’t see a huge talent difference between him and Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – who was ranked higher – except for the fact that Wheatley is a couple inches taller and 20-30 lbs. heavier.

Hit the jump for a few more 2016 offers, some 2017 offers, a commit elsewhere, and a few miscellaneous bits.

Cornelius (NC) Hough cornerback Marquill Osborne, a Tennessee commit, was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 185 lb. prospect who also holds offers from Duke, LSU, and North Carolina State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #23 cornerback, and #239 overall. Osborne is a speedy corner with good hips, and I think he’s deserving of his ranking. I do not think Michigan has much of a chance to flip him, although I would not be surprised if he signs with someone other than the Volunteers.

Laurinburg (NC) Scotland linebacker Jonathan Smith was offered by Michigan. Smith is a 6’1″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Duke, North Carolina, and North Carolina State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #31 linebacker, and #397 overall. He claims a 315 lb. bench press. Smith is probably strictly an inside linebacker at the next level because of some size and speed limitations, but he seems to make quick reads and is a solid hitter.

Eden Prairie (MN) Eden Prairie cornerback J.D. Spielman was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’9″, 175 lb. prospect whose lone offer comes from the Wolverines. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #80 athlete, and #1003 overall. He claims a 4.45 forty. Spielman is the adopted son of Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, who is Chris Spielman’s brother. J.D. has decent speed and is a pretty solid tackler for his size, but he does not have the outstanding burst you ideally look for in a return man.

Florence (AL) Florence linebacker Erroll Thompson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Louisville, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #30 inside linebacker, and #911 overall. Thompson is a hulking inside linebacker prospect with NFL size already, and he’s a very good hitter and tackler. Michigan has told him he might also be able to play both ways as a fullback/linebacker. It’s notoriously difficult to pull players out of the deep south, but he does not hold offers from home-state Alabama or Auburn yet.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Edwardsville (IL) Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Iowa, Michigan State, Missour, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 5-star, the #1 strongside end, and #2 overall. There does not appear to be much film out there on Epenesa, but obviously he is considered a top prospect. From what I have seen out of his sophomore clips, he looks like a sure-fire strongside end who already does a good job of playing with leverage.

Pittsburgh (PA) Seton-La Salle safety Paris Ford was offered by Michigan. Ford is a 6’2″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Penn State, Pitt, and West Virginia, among others. As a sophomore in 2014, he caught 29 passes for 537 yards and 11 touchdowns while also making 56 tackles and 4 interceptions. Ford’s brother is Darrin Walls, whom Michigan offered before he went on to play for Notre Dame and is now a corner for the New York Jets. Ford said his three favorite schools growing up were Michigan, Penn State, and Pitt. He’s a solid tackling safety who also shows some nice ball skills and running skills, and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said there’s a possibility he could play both sides of the ball at Michigan.

Hollywood (FL) Flanagan cornerback Stanford Samuels III was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #3 cornerback, and #25 overall. He’s a solid-hitting corner with good speed, hips, and ball skills, and he’s very physical in press coverage. He is the son of former Florida State cornerback Stanford Samuels, who went to play for a few years in the CFL.

Westerville (OH) South cornerback Marcus Williamson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 178 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Michigan State, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #6 cornerback, and #67 overall. Williamson has good quickness and is decently physical, and he reminds me somewhat of fifth year senior corner Blake Countess.

OFF THE BOARD
Carson (CA) Calabasas safety Marquel Dismuke committed to Cal. Dismuke expressed strong interest in visiting Michigan right after he was offered, but he took a visit to Cal and committed immediately. There’s still time for things to change, but this is why those offer reaction reports are overrated.

MISCELLANEOUS
I posted a scouting report on Southfield (MI) Southfield running back Matt Falcon (LINK).

Orlando (FL) Oak Ridge inside linebacker Jonathan Jones set an official visit date for September 25, which is the game against BYU. Despite receiving several new offers, he maintains that Michigan is #1 on his list.

Fresno (CA) Clovis West outside linebacker Caleb Kelly set an unofficial visit date for March 13. Kelly, who holds a Michigan offer, is the 247 Composite #14 player in the country and #1 in California.

Over on Recruiting Season, I added/updated profiles for:

• Novi RB Emanuel Jackson
• Novi Catholic Central OG Tom Kowalkoski
• Battle Creek Central LB Brandon Randle
• Ypsilanti QB Marquis Smith

Visitors: February 27-March 1, 2015

Southfield (MI) Southfield running back Matt Falcon

2016
Matt Falcon – RB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: You can find pretty much all the pertinent information on Falcon in the scouting report I posted yesterday (LINK).

Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6’2″, 194 lb. prospect who committed to Louisville back in October. He picked up an offer from Michigan a couple weeks ago and also added one from Pitt this week. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #55 wide receiver, and #340 overall. Fitzpatrick visited Michigan on Wednesday, and I think there’s a very good chance he does not end up signing with Louisville. Fitzpatrick visited this past Wednesday.

Will Small – LB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Small is a 6’0″, 205 lb. prospect with no offers right now. Small visited Michigan a couple weeks ago and briefly reported an offer from the Wolverines, but he quickly reversed course when people figured out that he was either lying or confused. I do not believe Small is a Michigan-caliber recruit or even an FBS prospect.

2017
Corey Malone-Hatcher – DE – St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph: Malone-Hatcher is a 6’3″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 weakside end, and #111 overall. Michigan is thought to be the leader.

Recruiting Update: February 23, 2015

Viera (FL) Viera wide receiver Tre Nixon (image via 247Sports.com)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Houston (TX) Aldine MacArthur defensive end Isaiah Chambers was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 245 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Florida State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas A&M, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 strongside end, and #133 overall. Chambers is a big, thick player who uses his hands really well. As a junior in 2014, he made 32 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. His current Crystal Ball currently reads 80% in favor of the Aggies. I am generally not a fan of any recruit who emblazons the title “YOU ARE NOW A WITNESS!” or anything similar on his highlights, kind of like 2015 tight end Jalen Wilkerson (Florida State) titled his highlights “The Chosen One.”

Calhoun (GA) Calhoun offensive tackle Jack DeFoor was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 260 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Louisville, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #72 offensive tackle, #902 overall. DeFoor is a decent athlete who has a slightly odd habit of taking a small hop just before he gets to second-level defenders. The way he moves and blocks, he looks more like a center to me. One of his teammates is 2016 tight end Landon Rice, an Auburn commit who was offered by Michigan a couple weeks ago.

Sachse (TX) Sachse wide receiver Devin Duvernay was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, LSU, and Oregon, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 wide receiver, and #36 overall. As a junior in 2014, he caught 62 passes for 990 yards and 9 touchdowns, plus he carried the ball 33 times for 290 yards and 3 scores. He also claims a 4.46 forty. Duvernay is one of those solidly built slot guys who can be a combo running back/receiver, and he can also return kicks.

Hit the jump for a bunch more offers and some miscellaneous bits.

Mechanicsville (VA) Atlee safety Jaqui “J.J.” Givens was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #47 safety, and #678 overall. He claims a 4.46 forty. As a junior in 2014, he made 32 solo tackles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups. Givens plays corner for his high school team but has the body of a future safety, and he’s not the smoothest athlete around but a guy who can be physical and support the run.

Madison (MS) Germantown cornerback Nigel Knott was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #11 cornerback, and #129 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 112 tackles, 4 interceptions, 16 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. He claims a 4.33 forty. Knott is an extremely aggressive corner who has the physicality to be a safety at the next level, too. Unfortunately, he lives in Mississippi, which is a notoriously difficult state to invade from the north.

Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei offensive tackle Frank Martin II was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 301 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 offensive tackle, and #111 overall. Martin is a mauling right tackle prospect who could also end up as a guard, and he is a teammate of linebacker offeree Curtis Robinson. Martin has expressed significant interest in visiting Michigan.

Sachse (TX) Sachse cornerback Jared Mayden was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 cornerback, and #96 overall. He claims a 4.58 forty. Mayden is another boundary corner type who could also play safety at the next level. Having announced a top group shortly before receiving some big-time offers, he now says he’s wide open in his selection process.

Viera (FL) Viera wide receiver Tre Nixon was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Miami, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #52 wide receiver, and #300 overall. Nixon also claims a 4.38 forty. As a junior in 2014, he caught 43 passes for 1,065 yards and 13 touchdowns. That 4.38 time might be stretching it a bit, but Nixon has legitimate deep speed and I imagine he’ll climb in the rankings before all is said and done.

Arlington (TX) Lamar offensive guard Chris Owens was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, and Oklahoma, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the the #31 offensive guard, and #594 overall. Owens plays right tackle but may not have the length to do so in college, where he will likely have to move inside. However, he is very mobile and could be an excellent pulling guard.

Auburn (AL) Auburn safety Spencer Perry was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Florida State, and Mississippi State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #29 safety, and #424 overall. Perry is well built right now, and I think there’s a very good chance that he grows into a linebacker before his college career is over. Much like any prospect Michigan tries to pull out of the deep south, anyone coming from Alabama is a serious long shot unless they’re not coveted by the regional schools.

Hermitage (PA) Hickory safety Andrew Pryts was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #47 safety, and #678 overall. Pryts has pretty decent athleticism, but the most impressive thing about his film is the way he hits. Pryts could be an enforcer in the middle of the field, and he can come up to support the run really well. He is likely to stay home and play for the Nittany Lions.

West Hartford (CT) Kingswood-Oxford linebacker Koby Quansah was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 212 lb. prospect with offers from Connecticut, Pitt, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 inside linebacker, and #322 overall. He claims a 4.58 forty. As a junior in 2014, he made 122 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He also averaged over 10 yards/carry as a running back with 120 carries for 1,245 yards. Quansah looks like an inside linebacker through and through, and while he’s the #1 player in the state, you may notice that the competition level is not particularly impressive.

Folsom (CA) Folsom offensive tackle Jonah Williams was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 272 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Cal, Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #11 offensive tackle, and #91 overall. He also claims a 4.96 forty, which makes him slightly faster than potential #1 draft pick Jameis Winston! Williams has a nice frame and looks like a college lineman already. He also has a nasty disposition when blocking, although I’d like to see him play through the whistle a little more often.

Tiger (GA) Rabun tight end Charlie Woerner was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, and Oregon, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #19 wide receiver, and #98 overall with a 4.76 forty. Woerner has a pretty impressive all-around highlight film where he lines up at running back, slot receiver, and wide receiver on offense. His team gets him the ball any way they can, and that’s probably a good choice. He’s probably not quick enough to line up as a wide receiver in college, but he could be a very versatile tight end or H-back type of player.

Clovis (CA) Buchanan defensive end Bryson Young was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Fresno State and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #27 weakside end, and #456 overall. Young plays outside linebacker for his high school team and shows some nice speed, especially a couple times when he chases down running backs on the opposite sideline. He will probably play with his hand in the dirt in college, or at least as a 3-4 rush linebacker.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Littleton (CO) Valor Christian quarterback Dylan McCaffrey was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 200 lb. prospect whose only other offer has come from Colorado. McCaffrey the son of former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey and the younger brother of Stanford rising sophomore Christian McCaffrey, a running back Michigan pursued in the 2014 class. Dylan looks like a prototypical pocket quarterback with a little bit of athleticism to escape the rush. His offer list should expand significantly in the near future.

MISCELLANEOUS
I put together a list of players who visited Michigan for the basketball game against Ohio State on Sunday (LINK).

Several recruiting top lists were updated:

• Top 247 for 2016 (LINK)
• Top 116 for 2017 (LINK)
• Rivals 100 for 2016 (LINK)
• Rivals 250 for 2016 (LINK)

Over on Recruiting Season, I posted/update profiles on:

• Cass Tech wide receiver Dwight Blakey
• Chippewa Valley safety Stefan Claiborne, who committed to Western Michigan
• Renaissance offensive tackle Alaric Jackson
• Mt. Pleasant wide receiver Kalebb Perry
• Ann Arbor Pioneer linebacker Antjuan Simmons